Dell PowerVault TL4000 - Manual (Page 45)

Library Partitioning and Element Addressing
Library 4U systems with firmware versions of .80 and higher, and containing at
least 2 drives, have the ability to configure two logical libraries (create two
partitions). This partitioning has been expanded with the new library firmware and
half-high drive integration. Now it is possible to configure 1, 2, 3 or 4 partitions in
the 4U library. Additionally the 2U library can now be configured into one or two
partitions. Each library must contain at least one drive per logical library
(partition). In a partitioned library, the Operator Control Panel (OCP) only reports
the status of logical library 1 in the main menu due to space limitations. The user
must navigate to the logical libraries status in the OCP to get the information on
the additional library partitions.
Partitioning of 2U Libraries
When two half height drives are installed in a 2U library, the library firmware will
support partitioning in the same way that the 4U supports partitioning with two
full height drives today. The first partition will contain the first magazine and the
first drive. The second partition will contain the second magazine and the second
drive. The I/O station (if configured as I/O) will be shared, as is done with the
partitioned 4U library.
One full height drive is "Drive 1". When using half height drives, the first half
height drive position will be called "Drive 1", The second half height drive position
will be called "Drive 2."
Partitioning of 4U Libraries
When one or more half height drives are added to a 4U library, the drive naming
will change. Currently, the first full height drive is "Drive 1" and the second full
height drive is "Drive 2". When you consider that each full height drive slot may
contain one or two half height drives, there are four potential drives in the space
that used to occupy two. As a result, the first half height drive position, or the first
full-high drive position, will be called "Drive 1". The second half height drive
position will be called "Drive 2". The third half height drive position, or the second
full height drive position, will be called "Drive 3". The fourth half height drive
position will be called "Drive 4".
Important: In a 4U library a full height drive sled may be installed in drive slot 1
(drive will occupy slot 1 and slot 2) or drive slot 3 (drive will occupy
slot 3 and slot 4). A full height drive sled should never be installed in
drive slot 2 (drive will occupy slot 2 and slot 3).
Mixing of Drives
The library supports a mix of full height and half height drives in the same
physical library and the same logical library. They support a mix of drives in the
same physical library and the same logical library. They will also support a mix of
SCSI, SAS, and Fibre Channel in the same physical library and the same logical
library; however, mixing drive interface types in the same logical library is not
recommended.
Important: Drives that do not share a common media type cannot be mixed in the
same logical library. For instance, Gen 3 and Gen 6 drives cannot use
the same media and so they cannot be mixed. LTO 3 media cannot be
read on LTO 6 drives.
Chapter 3. Installation Planning 3-3